Wagering game community environment

ABSTRACT

A wagering game community environment is described herein. In some embodiments, the environment includes a community server to provide services for a wagering game community. In some embodiments, the community server comprises a communications controller configured to receive communications from community terminals and to send the communications to wagering game machines. In some embodiments, the community server also includes a promotions controller configured to award promotional material to members of the virtual community based on their use of the community terminals, the promotional material being for use in wagering games available on the wagering game machines.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of and claims priority benefit ofU.S. Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 12/445,961 filed May 17, 2009.The Non-Provisional U.S. application Ser. No. 12/445,961 claims priorityto, and is a continuation of, PCT Application PCT/US2007/081795 filed onOct. 18, 2007. The PCT Application PCT/US2007/081795 claims priority toU.S. Provisional Application 60/862,395 filed Oct. 20, 2006.

LIMITED COPYRIGHT WAIVER

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains materialwhich is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has noobjection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patentdisclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patentfiles or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rightswhatsoever. Copyright 2006, WMS Gaming, Inc.

FIELD

Embodiments of the inventive subject matter relate generally to wageringgame systems, and more particularly to a wagering game communityenvironment.

BACKGROUND

Wagering game machines, such as slot machines, video poker machines andthe like, have been a cornerstone of the gaming industry for severalyears. Generally, the popularity of such machines depends on thelikelihood (or perceived likelihood) of winning money at the machine andthe intrinsic entertainment value of the machine relative to otheravailable gaming options. Where the available gaming options include anumber of competing wagering game machines and the expectation ofwinning at each machine is roughly the same (or believed to be thesame), players are likely to be attracted to the most entertaining andexciting machines. Shrewd operators consequently strive to employ themost entertaining and exciting machines, features, and enhancementsavailable because such machines attract frequent play and hence increaseprofitability to the operator. Therefore, there is a continuing need forwagering game machine manufacturers to continuously develop new gamesand gaming enhancements that will attract frequent play.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The present invention is illustrated by way of example and notlimitation in the Figures of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating dataflow between virtualcommunity members who are online and those who are playing wagering gamemachines in a casino, according to example embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a wagering game network in whichvirtual community members can interact with community members who are incasinos, according to example embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a community server, according toexample embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a wagering game machinearchitecture, according to example embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating operations for facilitatinginteractions between members of a virtual community, where somecommunity members are in casinos and others are online;

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating operations for enabling virtualcommunity members to access a virtual community using wagering gamemachines located in a casino, according to example embodiments of theinvention;

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating operations for receivinginformation from a virtual community, where the information is receivedin a casino, according to example embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram illustrating operations for transmittinginformation from a wagering game in a casino to a virtual community,according to example embodiments of the invention; and

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a wagering game machine, according toexample embodiments of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

This description of the embodiments is divided into six sections. Thefirst section provides an introduction to embodiments of the invention,while the second section describes an example operating environment. Thethird section describes example operations performed by some embodimentsand the fourth section describes some additional embodiments in moredetail. The fifth section describes wagering game machines in moredetail and the sixth section provides some general comments.

Introduction

This section provides an introduction to some embodiments of theinvention.

Casino player clubs (“clubs”) are often little more than passivetracking systems geared toward individual players. Many clubs trackplayer activities inside casinos and give incentives based on playerhabits. For example, player clubs may track players' wagering habits andoffer incentives to increase wagering. Because many clubs are limited tosuch tracking-type programs, they often treat their members like servicesubscribers, rather than members of a true club. Thus, communicationsbetween clubs and players are often superficial and impersonal. Forexample, clubs often notify players about special promotions andcomplementary merchandise, but they typically do not facilitatecommunications between club members. Unlike these passive, impersonalclubs, embodiments of the invention facilitate virtual playercommunities where community members regularly visit, make friends, andinteract with each other. Some embodiments enable community members toestablish social networks, provide and rate community content, assumecommunity-related identities, and much more. Some embodiments linkvirtual community environments to real-world casinos. For example, someembodiments enable community members who are online to 1) watch/monitorwagering games being played in casinos; 2) use promotional itemsacquired in the virtual community in wagering games at casinos; 3)participate in wagering games being played in casinos; and 4) show theironline community status when playing wagering games at casinos. FIG. 1shows one such embodiment.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating dataflow between virtualcommunity members who are online and those who are playing wagering gamemachines in a casino, according to example embodiments of the invention.In FIG. 1, the wagering game network 100 includes a virtual community102 and a casino 104. The virtual community 102 includes a virtualcommunity server 106 and workstations 108. The virtual community server106 can include a web site and other facilities through which communitymembers can interact with each other. Community members can use theworkstations 108 to access the community server's web site and otherfacilities. In the casino 104, the wagering game machines 112 areconnected to a wagering game server 110. The casino components 112 and110 are connected with the virtual community components 106 and 108.

As shown, the wagering game machines 112 can exchange communityinformation and/or wagering game information 116 with the communityserver 106 and workstations 108. As a result, community members who areonline (i.e., who are using the workstations 108) can interact withcommunity members who are in the casino 104. For example, online memberscan monitor wagering games and other activities occurring in the casino104, participate in wagering games occurring in the casino 104, exchangemessages with community members who are in the casino 104, and muchmore. Although FIG. 1 describes some embodiments, many other featuresand embodiments are described below.

Operating Environment

This section describes an example operating environment and providesstructural aspects of some embodiments. This section will discusswagering game networks, virtual communities, and wagering game networkcomponents.

Wagering Game Networks

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a wagering game network in whichvirtual community members can interact with community members who are incasinos, according to example embodiments of the invention. As shown inFIG. 2, the wagering game network 200 includes casinos 212, a communityserver 220, and community terminals 218, all connected via acommunications network 214.

Each casino 212 includes a local area network 216, which includes awireless access point 204, wagering game machines 202, and a wageringgame server 206. The local area network 216 also includes wirelesscommunication links 210 and wired communication links 208. The wired andwireless communication links can employ any suitable connectiontechnology, such as Bluetooth, 802.11, Ethernet, public switchedtelephone networks, SONET, etc. The wagering game machines 202 describedherein can take any suitable form, such as floor standing models,handheld mobile units, bartop models, workstation-type console models,etc. Further, the wagering game machines 202 can be primarily dedicatedfor use in conducting wagering games, or can include non-dedicateddevices, such as mobile phones, personal digital assistants, personalcomputers, etc.

The wagering game server 206 can serve wagering games and/or othercontent over the local area network 216. The wagering game server 206includes a community client 222 that can exchange information betweenthe wagering game server 206, the wagering game machines 202, thecommunity server 220, the community terminals 218, and components ofother casinos 212.

The community server 220 can provide a wide range of services to membersof virtual communities. In some embodiments, the community server 220can enable community members who are online to interact with each otherand with community members who are in the casinos 212. Virtualcommunities and their services will be described in greater detail below(see the Virtual Communities subsection).

The community terminals 218 enable community members to access virtualcommunities and other services available from the community server 220and other network components. The community terminals 218 can bepersonal computers, workstations, personal digital assistants, or othercomputing devices. In some embodiments, the community terminals 218 canwirelessly connect to the communications network 214.

In some embodiments, the wagering game network 200 can include othernetwork devices, such as accounting servers, wide area progressiveservers, player tracking servers, and/or other devices suitable for usein connection with embodiments of the invention.

Virtual Communities

Virtual communities (“communities”) include groups of people who chooseto associate and interact with each other via web sites, chat rooms,newsgroups, email, discussion boards or forums, instant messaging,and/or other electronic facilities. Members of a community often share aset of common interests and experience (e.g., an interest in aparticular wagering game). According to embodiments, communities offer arich infrastructure which enables community members to:

-   -   Create Social Networks—When creating social networks, members        can create electronic associations that inform network members        when selected members are: 1) online, 2) performing        activities, 3) reaching milestones, 4) etc.    -   Establish a Reputation—Community members can establish        reputations based on feedback from other community members,        based on accomplishments in the community, based on who is in        their social network, etc.    -   Provide Content—Community members can provide content by        uploading media, designing wagering games, maintaining blogs,        etc.    -   Filter Content—Community members can filter content by rating        content, commenting on content, or otherwise distinguishing        content.    -   Interact with Other Members—Community members can interact via        newsgroups, e-mail, discussion boards, instant messaging, etc.    -   Participate in Community Activities—Community members can        participate in community activities, such as multi-player games,        interactive meetings, discussion groups, real-life meetings,        etc.

Any of the components of the wagering game network 200 can includehardware and machine-readable media including instructions forfacilitating the features described herein. For example, the communityserver 220 and community client 222 can include software for hostingvirtual community web sites, facilitating communications betweencommunity members, facilitating interactions between members who areonline and members who are in casinos, and providing other features.

This section continues by describing some wagering game networkcomponents.

Community Servers

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a community server, according toexample embodiments of the invention. In FIG. 3, the community server302 includes a game controller 304, social networking controller 306,communications controller 308, content management controller 310, datamining controller 312, and promotions controller 314. The communityserver's components can include hardware and/or machine-readable mediaincluding instructions that can be executed to perform the operationsdescribed herein. The community server's components can communicate witheach other via the communication interface 316, which can include a bus,wires, software interfaces, and/or any other suitable interfacetechnology.

The game controller 304 can conduct non-wagering games based on inputreceived from the community terminals 218. The games controller 304 canalso facilitate interactions between the community terminals 218 and thewagering game server 206 and/or wagering game machines 202. In someembodiments, the game controller 304 enables online community members toparticipate in and/or monitor wagering games that are being presented inthe casinos 212.

The social networking controller 306 can enable community members toconnect with and track each other. For example, the social networkingcontroller 306 can enable community members to select other members tobe part of a social network. The networking controller 306 can alsoenable members of a social network to track what other social networkmembers are doing in a virtual community and a real-world casino. Forexample, in some embodiments, the networking controller 306 assists inenabling members of a social network to see when network members areplaying wagering game machines in a casino, accessing a virtualcommunity web site, achieving milestones (e.g., winning large wagers ina casino), etc.

The communications controller 308 can enable community members tocommunicate with each other. For example, the communications controller308 can facilitate e-mail, instant messaging, message boards, and othersuitable communication channels. In some embodiments, the communicationscontroller 308 can facilitate delivery of messages between the communityterminals 218 and the wagering game machines 202. In some embodiments,the communications controller 308 provides menu-driven messaging optionsthat reduce input (e.g., typing) needed to represent a member'sthoughts/expression. In some embodiments, the communications controller308 learns a player's communication style and provides menu-drivenmessaging options suited to the player's communication style.Additionally, the communication controller 308 can provide a “quicktext” interface that streamlines text input.

The content management controller 310 can store and manage content for avirtual community. For example, in some embodiments, the contentmanagement controller 310 can host a web site for a virtual community.Additionally, it can enable community members and administrators to add,delete, and/or modify content for virtual communities. For example, thecontent management controller 310 can enable community members to postmedia files, member-designed games, commentaries, etc., all forconsumption by members of a virtual community.

The data mining controller 312 can track behavior of community members.In some embodiments, the data mining controller 312 tracks howindividuals and/or groups use the services and content available in avirtual community. The data mining controller 312 can analyze memberbehavior and categorize community members as promoters, connectors, orother types. The data mining controller 312 can configure communityservers and other components (e.g., the games controller 304) tocustomize content based on individual and/or group habits.

The promotions controller 314 can manage various promotions offered tomembers of a virtual community. For example, the promotions controller314 can distribute promotional material when members achieve certainaccomplishments (e.g., scores for online games) in a virtual community.Members may use some of the promotional material when playing wageringgames in a casino.

Wagering Game Machines

This section continues with a description of a wagering game machinearchitecture.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a wagering game machinearchitecture, according to example embodiments of the invention. Asshown in FIG. 4, the wagering game machine architecture 400 includes awagering game machine 406, which includes a central processing unit(CPU) 426 connected to main memory 428. The CPU 426 can include anysuitable processor, such as an Intel® Pentium processor, Intel® Core 2Duo processor, AMD Opteron™ processor, UltraSPARC processor, etc. Themain memory 428 includes a wagering game unit 432. In some embodiments,the wagering game unit 432 can present wagering games, such as videopoker, video black jack, video slots, video lottery, etc., in whole orpart. In some embodiments, the community information controller 436exchanges information with community servers, wagering game servers, andother wagering game network components.

The CPU 426 is connected to an input/output (I/O) bus 422, which caninclude any suitable bus technologies, such as an AGTL+ frontside busand a PCI backside bus. The I/O bus 422 is connected to a payoutmechanism 408, primary display 410, secondary display 412, value inputdevice 414, player input device 416, information reader 418, and storageunit 430. The player input device 416 can include the value input device414 to the extent the player input device 416 is used to place wagers.The I/O bus 422 is also connected to an external system interface 424,which is connected to external systems 404 (e.g., wagering gamenetworks).

In one embodiment, the wagering game machine 406 can include additionalperipheral devices and/or more than one of each component shown in FIG.4. For example, in one embodiment, the wagering game machine 406 caninclude multiple external system interfaces 424 and/or multiple CPUs426. In one embodiment, any of the components can be integrated orsubdivided.

Any component of the architecture 400 can include hardware, firmware,and/or machine-readable media including instructions for performing theoperations described herein. Machine-readable media includes anymechanism that provides (i.e., stores and/or transmits) information in aform readable by a machine (e.g., a wagering game machine, computer,etc.). For example, tangible machine-readable media includes read onlymemory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disk storage media,optical storage media, flash memory machines, etc. Machine-readablemedia also includes any media suitable for transmitting software over anetwork.

While this section described structural features of some embodiments,the next section describes operations performed by some embodiments ofthe invention.

Operations

This section describes operations performed by some embodiments of theinvention. In the discussion below, the flow diagrams will be describedwith reference to the block diagrams presented above. In certainembodiments, the operations are performed by executing instructionsresiding on machine-readable media (e.g., software), while in otherembodiments, the operations are performed by hardware and/or other logic(e.g., firmware). In some embodiments, the operations are performed inseries, while in other embodiments, one or more of the operations can beperformed in parallel.

The section presents FIGS. 5-8. FIGS. 5 and 6 describe operationstypically performed by embodiments of a community server, whereas FIGS.7 and 8 describe operations typically performed by embodiments of awagering game machine.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating operations for facilitatinginteractions between members of a virtual community, where somecommunity members are in casinos and others are online. The flow 500begins at block 502.

At block 502, the community server 220 receives casino informationoriginating at a wagering game machine 202. The casino information caninclude information associated with wagering games, casino activities,promotional items, community members, etc. The casino information canalso include communications from community members playing in thecasinos. In some embodiments, the community server 220 can receivecasino information from wagering game machines 202 as part of: 1)community members in the casinos 212 sending instant messages, emails,or the like to community members who are not in the casino (e.g., whoare online); 2) online community members monitoring/participating-inwagering game activities occurring wholly or partly in a casino; 3)wagering game machines notifying online community members when eventsoccur in the casinos 212; and/or 4) community members in the casinos 212requesting services from the community server (e.g., community membersrequesting access to promotional items or game elements that wereacquired online.). In other embodiments, the community server 220 canreceive casino information from a wagering game server 206. The flowcontinues at block 504.

At block 504, based on the casino information, the community server 220transmits communications to a community member. In some embodiments, thecommunity server 220 transmits communications to community members bysending information to the community terminals 218. For example, thecommunity server 220 can deliver e-mail, instant messages,notifications, and other information originating from the casinos 212 tocommunity members who are using the community terminals 218. In somecircumstances, there is no need to deliver the casino information to acommunity member. For example, if the casino information includes arequest to use a member's own online game elements in a casino wageringgame, the community server 220 could skip block 504. The flow continuesat block 506.

At block 506, the community server 220 determines community informationassociated with the casino information. For example, the communityserver 220 (e.g., the community server's communications controller 308)can detect that an online community member has sent an instant messageresponding to the casino information, which included an instant message.Alternatively, the community server 220 may detect a community member'srequest to use an online game element in a casino wagering game. Inresponse to the detection, the community server 220 determines communityinformation associated with the casino information. The communityinformation can include messages, e-mails, or other communicationsoriginating from community members who are online. Additionally, thecommunity information can include an indication or request determined bythe community sever 220. For example, the community information caninclude an indication that a player can use an online game piece orother online material in casino activities. The flow continues at block508.

At block 508, the community server 220 transmits the communityinformation to the wagering game machine 202. From block 508, the flowends.

This section continues with a description of how virtual communitymembers can access a virtual community while at a wagering game machinein a casino.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating operations for enabling virtualcommunity members to access a virtual community using wagering gamemachines located in a casino, according to example embodiments of theinvention. The flow 600 begins at block 602.

At block 602, the community server 220 receives an indication that avirtual community member has accessed a wagering game machine 202. Insome embodiments, players can login to virtual communities by enteringuser identifiers and authentication information (e.g., passwords,biometric information, etc.) into a graphical user interface on thewagering game machines 202. In some embodiments, the wagering gamemachine's community information controllers 436 transmits the logininformation to the community server 220. The flow continues at block604.

At block 604, the community server's social networking controller 306determines a community group associated with the virtual communitymember. For example, the social networking controller 306 determines(e.g., looks up in a table) a set of other virtual community membersthat have chosen to be associated with the member at the wagering gamemachine 202. The flow continues at block 606.

At block 606, the community server's social networking controller 306determines whether other members of the community group are accessing acommunity (e.g., using the community terminals 218 or wagering gamemachines 202). If no other community members are accessing the virtualcommunity, the flow continues at block 610. Otherwise, the flowcontinues at block 608.

At block 608, the community server's communications controller 308exchanges information between the virtual community members, where theinformation is associated with the wagering game machine and themembers. For example, the communications controller 308 exchangesinstant messages between members in the casino and members at theterminals 218. Alternatively, the communications controller 308 cannotify community members when members of their social network areaccessing the community via wagering game machines 202 or communityterminals 218. The flow continues at block 610.

At block 610, the community server's data mining controller 312 storesinformation associated with the wagering game machine 202 and thevirtual community member. For example, the data mining controller 312can store information about the virtual community member'scommunications, wagering habits, wagering game preferences, etc. Fromblock 610, the flow ends.

Thus far, this section has described operations which are typicallyperformed by embodiments of a community server. The section continueswith a description of operations typically performed by wagering gamemachines in a casino. In the following discussion, FIG. 7 will describeoperations for receiving, information originating from a virtualcommunity, whereas FIG. 8 will describe operations for transmittinginformation to a virtual community.

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating operations for receivinginformation from a virtual community, where the information is receivedin a casino, according to example embodiments of the invention. The flow700 begins at block 702.

At block 702, the wagering game machine 202 receives player inputassociated with the wagering game. For example, the wagering gamemachine receives player input associated with a wagering game. The flowcontinues at block 704.

At block 704, the wagering game machine 202 receives communityinformation originating from a virtual community. For example, thewagering game machine 202 receives an indication that the player iseligible to use, in the wagering game, game elements acquired online.The community information can include any information from onlinemembers (e.g., members using the terminals 218) or the community server220, such as instant messages, promotional material, notifications(e.g., notifications indicating that members of the player's socialnetwork are monitoring the wagering game), etc. The flow continues atblock 706.

At block 706, the wagering game machine 202 performs operations based onthe community information. For example the wagering game machine 202allows the player to use game elements acquired online in the wageringgame. Alternatively, the wagering game machine 202 can perform otheroperations based on the community information, such as presentingcommunications (e.g., instant messages), notifications, promotionalmaterial, and/or other suitable output. The flow continues at block 708.

At block 708, the wagering game machine 202 presents the wagering game.For example, the wagering game machine 202 spins the reels for a slotsgame. In some embodiments, the wagering game machine 202 can use thecommunity information when presenting the wagering game. In someembodiments, the wagering game machine 202 can tailor the presentationaccording to the community information. From block 708, the flow ends.

The section continues with a discussion of operations for transmittinginformation to a virtual community.

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram illustrating operations for transmittinginformation from a wagering game in a casino to a virtual community,according to example embodiments of the invention. The flow begins atblock 802.

At block 802, the wagering game machine 202 receives player inputassociated with a wagering game. For example, the wagering game machine202 receives player input indicating that a player wants to spin thereels for a slots game. The flow continues at block 804.

At block 804, the wagering game machine 202 presents the wagering game.The flow continues at block 806.

At block 806, the wagering game machine 202 transmits informationassociated with the wagering game to a virtual community. For example,the wagering game machine 202 transmits information about the wageringgame (e.g., wager amounts, results, etc.) to the community server's datamining controller 312.

In some embodiments, the operation at block 804 is performed before theoperation at block 806. For example, the player input may be related toa message (e.g., email or instant message), request, notification, orother communication directed to a virtual community. In someembodiments, the wagering game machine 202 can transmit information tothe virtual community (e.g., the community server 220 or the terminals218) before presenting the wagering game. From block 806, the flow ends.

More Example Embodiments

This section describes additional example embodiments of the invention.

Virtual Communities

Embodiments of the wagering game networks described herein (e.g., seeFIG. 2) can offer numerous services and features for virtualcommunities. In some embodiments, community servers (e.g., gamecontrollers 304) can post “home” versions of casino wagering games. Thehome versions do no allow players to wager money, but instead allowplayers to bet online tokens or other virtual commodities. Communityservers can also allow virtual community members to design and createtheir own custom games. In some embodiments, community members can posttheir custom games for others to play. If a custom game becomes popular,the game designer may receive promotional material, higher status,and/or other recognition for contributing content to the virtualcommunity.

Community servers (e.g., content management controller 310) can hostblogs on which virtual community members discuss wagering gamestrategies, tips, tricks, and other topics of interest to virtualcommunity members. In some embodiments, virtual community members whocreate blogs, comment on blogs, and/or read blogs receive increasedcommunity status, promotional material (e.g., virtual game tokens foruse with online games), recognition, etc.

As noted above, community servers (e.g., promotions controllers 314) canreward virtual community members for contributing content to a virtualcommunity. The content can include blogs, ratings, custom games, mediafiles, etc. Additionally, community servers can reward virtual communitymembers for social networking activities, such as building socialnetworks, communicating with members of a social network, recommendingmembers of a social network, etc. In some embodiments, a promotionscontroller 314 works with a social networking controller 306 and datamining controller 312 to determine rewards for social networkingactivities.

Interactions Between Virtual Communities and Casinos

Embodiments of the wagering game networks described herein (e.g., seeFIG. 2) can enable virtual community members who are playing in casinosto interact with virtual community members who are online. Embodimentsof the wagering game networks can support the following interactions:

-   -   Access Notifications—The wagering game network can notify online        community members when a member of their social network is        participating in casino activities, such as wagering games,        community bonus game, etc. Additionally, the wagering game        network can notify online community members when a member of        their social network achieves certain accomplishments, such as        achieving particular game results, winning monetary awards,        winning commodities used in virtual communities, etc. The        wagering game network can also notify community members who are        in a casino that members of their social network are also in the        casino.    -   Community Games—The wagering game network can enable online        community members to participate in activities occurring in the        casinos. For example, the wagering game network can enable        online players to participate in wagering games occurring on a        casino floor. In some embodiments, the online players bet        virtual commodities whereas casino players wager money (i.e.,        credits purchased with money). In other embodiments, the online        players and casino players wager money on and participate in the        wagering games. Also, the wagering game network can enable        online players to join-in community bonus games being conducted        on casino wagering game machines. The bonus games can reward        online winners differently than winners who are in the casinos.        In some embodiments, members of a social networks who are in a        casino can play wagering games together (e.g., as        co-participants, teammates, adversaries, etc.). In some        embodiments the wagering game network enables community members        to share game assets. For example, a community member playing in        a casino can use game assets from members of a social network.        If the community member uses game assets from a social network,        the player may share winnings with social network members.    -   Wagering Game Monitoring—Community members are often interested        in how other community members are performing in wagering games        at casinos. In some embodiments, online community members can        receive real-time media representing wagering games occurring in        casinos. The following scenario illustrates one of many ways        virtual community members can use the wagering game network's        wagering game monitoring features. Bob and Sally are both        members of a virtual community. Sally is going to a casino to        play slots games. Bob gives Sally $100 to wager on his behalf In        some embodiments, when Bob is online, he can see whether Sally        wins when wagering his $100 in a casino. The network's wagering        game monitoring features can also enable online community        members to bet on (e.g., using virtual commodities) whether        players will win in the casinos. In some embodiments, online        members can monitor casino wagering games for cheating. If an        online member discovers someone cheating in the casino, the        online member can alert casino personnel. If the casino catches        the cheater, the network can award the online member some        benefit, such as promotional material, status badges, etc.    -   Community Member Communications—The wagering game network can        facilitate direct communications between online community        members and community members playing in casinos. The        communications can include text messaging, voice messaging,        e-mail, etc. In some circumstances, casino players can use the        network's communications features to ask online community        members for advice about wagering games. For example, during a        casino video poker game, a player can ask online members about        wager amounts, strategies, etc.    -   Social Networking—The wagering game network can facilitate        numerous social networking features. In some embodiments,        community members can choose their social networks. However, in        some embodiments, community members must qualify to be part of        certain social networks. For example, to become part of an elite        player's network, community members must win large sums of money        or achieve various milestones (e.g., 10 royal flushes in        casinos). In some embodiments, when community members win money        playing wagering game in casinos, members of their social        networks receive promotional material, virtual commodities,        increased status, or other benefits. Similarly, when community        members receive complimentary benefits resulting from casino        activities, members of their social network also receive        benefits. Social networks often have degrees of separation. For        example, a community member may be related to another community        member through a common friend. The wagering game network can        provide different rewards and features based on the degree of        separation between community members. In some embodiments, the        wagering game network enables community members to filter        content based on their social network. For example, the network        can mark content as having been accessed, approved, rejected, or        otherwise rated by members of a social network or community.    -   Virtual Commodities, Promotions, and Persistent State—As        described above, community members can receive virtual        commodities, promotional material, game elements associated with        casino wagering games, etc. The virtual commodities can include        accoutrements for animated characters and avatars, virtual        currency, game elements for use in online and/or casino games,        online status indicators, etc. Promotional material can include        coupons, vouchers, tickets, and other prizes. The wagering game        network can also maintain persistent state information        associated with casino wagering games. In some embodiments,        advertisers or other sponsors can affect wagering games in        casinos. For example, advertisers can add to wagers made by        community members (in casinos). In some embodiments, community        members can acquire virtual commodities and/or promotions for        online activities, where the virtual commodities and/or        promotions are usable in casino activities, such as wagering        games. Similarly, some embodiments enable community members to        affect their persistent state via online activities. For        example, community members can perform online activities for        which they are awarded game elements (e.g., free spins, access        codes, etc.), status badges, etc. In some embodiments, the        wagering game network enables community members to show online        status badges and/or use online game elements for wagering game        machines in casinos. In some embodiments, winning games online        qualifies community members for wagering games in the casinos.    -   Content Contributions—The wagering game network can enable        community members to contribute content that is accessible in        casinos. For example, community members can contribute media        files (e.g., video, audio, graphics, etc.) that are used in        presenting wagering games in the casinos. In some circumstances,        community members can provide photographs online (e.g. via a        community terminals 218), where the photographs are used in        presenting a bonus event in a casino.    -   Other Features        -   In some embodiments, the wagering game network can enable a            group of community members to put money or other value in a            pot, where the pot is accumulated online. Later, the group            of community members can meet in a casino to compete for the            pot by playing wagering games.        -   In some embodiments, the wagering game network (e.g.,            community server 220) keeps track of community members'            casino activities. After each day (or some other time            period), the network posts a blog article describing each            member's casino activities.        -   In some embodiments, the wagering game network enables            community members to place wagers and determine wagering            game results while online, but does not present the results            until the community members are in casinos.        -   In some embodiments, the wagering game network maintains            and/or provides access to community member financial            accounts. In some embodiments, the wagering game network            enables virtual community members who were online to send            money to community members in casinos. In some embodiments,            while in casinos, community members can access their            financial accounts and/or pay for transactions using            biometric information, such as a fingerprint.

Example Wagering Game Machines

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a wagering game machine, according toexample embodiments of the invention. Referring to FIG. 9, a wageringgame machine 900 can be used in gaming establishments, such as casinos.According to embodiments, the wagering game machine 900 can be any typeof wagering game machine and can have varying structures and methods ofoperation. For example, the wagering game machine 900 can be anelectromechanical wagering game machine configured to play mechanicalslots, or it can be an electronic wagering game machine configured toplay video casino games, such as blackjack, slots, keno, poker,blackjack, roulette, etc.

The wagering game machine 900 comprises a housing 912 and includes inputdevices, including value input devices 918 and a player input device924. For output, the wagering game machine 900 includes a primarydisplay 914 for displaying information about a basic wagering game. Theprimary display 914 can also display information about a bonus wageringgame and a progressive wagering game. The wagering game machine 900 alsoincludes a secondary display 916 for displaying wagering game events,wagering game outcomes, and/or signage information. While somecomponents of the wagering game machine 900 are described herein,numerous other elements can exist and can be used in any number orcombination to create varying forms of the wagering game machine 900.

The value input devices 918 can take any suitable form and can belocated on the front of the housing 912. The value input devices 918 canreceive currency and/or credits inserted by a player. The value inputdevices 918 can include coin acceptors for receiving coin currency andbill acceptors for receiving paper currency. Furthermore, the valueinput devices 918 can include ticket readers or barcode scanners forreading information stored on vouchers, cards, or other tangibleportable storage devices. The vouchers or cards can authorize access tocentral accounts, which can transfer money to the wagering game machine900.

The player input device 924 comprises a plurality of push buttons on abutton panel 926 for operating the wagering game machine 900. Inaddition, or alternatively, the player input device 924 can comprise atouch screen 928 mounted over the primary display 914 and/or secondarydisplay 916.

The various components of the wagering game machine 900 can be connecteddirectly to, or contained within, the housing 912. Alternatively, someof the wagering game machine's components can be located outside of thehousing 912, while being communicatively coupled with the wagering gamemachine 900 using any suitable wired or wireless communicationtechnology.

The operation of the basic wagering game can be displayed to the playeron the primary display 914. The primary display 914 can also display abonus game associated with the basic wagering game. The primary display914 can include a cathode ray tube (CRT), a high resolution liquidcrystal display (LCD), a plasma display, light emitting diodes (LEDs),or any other type of display suitable for use in the wagering gamemachine 900. Alternatively, the primary display 914 can include a numberof mechanical reels to display the outcome. In FIG. 9, the wagering gamemachine 900 is an “upright” version in which the primary display 914 isoriented vertically relative to the player. Alternatively, the wageringgame machine can be a “slant-top” version in which the primary display914 is slanted at about a thirty-degree angle toward the player of thewagering game machine 900. In yet another embodiment, the wagering gamemachine 900 can exhibit any suitable form factor, such as a freestanding model, bartop model, mobile handheld model, or workstationconsole model.

A player begins playing a basic wagering game by making a wager via thevalue input device 918. The player can initiate play by using the playerinput device's buttons or touch screen 928. The basic game can includearranging a plurality of symbols along a payline 932, which indicatesone or more outcomes of the basic game. Such outcomes can be randomlyselected in response to player input. At least one of the outcomes,which can include any variation or combination of symbols, can trigger abonus game.

In some embodiments, the wagering game machine 900 can also include aninformation reader 952, which can include a card reader, ticket reader,bar code scanner, RFID transceiver, or computer readable storage mediuminterface. In some embodiments, the information reader 952 can be usedto award complimentary services, restore game assets, track playerhabits, etc.

General

In the following detailed description, reference is made to specificexamples by way of drawings and illustrations. These examples aredescribed in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art topractice the inventive subject matter, and serve to illustrate how theinventive subject matter can be applied to various purposes orembodiments. Other embodiments are included within the inventive subjectmatter, as logical, mechanical, electrical, and other changes can bemade to the example embodiments described herein. Features orlimitations of various embodiments described herein, however essentialto the example embodiments in which they are incorporated, do not limitthe inventive subject matter as a whole, and any reference to theinvention, its elements, operation, and application are not limiting asa whole, but serve only to define these example embodiments. Thedetailed description does not, therefore, limit embodiments of theinvention, which are defined only by the appended claims. Each of theembodiments described herein are contemplated as falling within theinventive subject matter, which is set forth in the following claims.

1. A community server to provide services for a virtual community, the community server comprising: a communications controller configured to receive communications from community terminals and to send the communications to wagering game machines; and a promotions controller configured to award promotional material to members of the virtual community based on their use of the community terminals, the promotional material being for use in wagering games available on the wagering game machines.
 2. The community server of claim 1, further comprising: a game controller configured to enable the community terminals to interact with wagering games being presented on the wagering game machines.
 3. The community server of claim 1, further comprising: a social networking controller configured to send notifications to the community terminals when members of a virtual community use the wagering game machines.
 4. The community server of claim 1, further comprising: a content management controller configured to receive, from the community terminals, feedback about community content, wherein the feedback indicates how members of a virtual community rate the community content.
 5. The community server of claim 1, wherein the communications include one or more communications selected from the group consisting of instant messages and emails.
 6. The community server of claim 1, further comprising: a data mining controller configured to track information associated with members of the virtual community, the information being received from the community terminals and the wagering game machines.
 7. The community server of claim 6, the data mining controller further configured to use the information to customize content for some members of the virtual community.
 8. A method comprising: receiving, in a wagering game machine, player input associated with a wagering game; receiving, in the wagering game machine, community information from a virtual community, wherein the community information arises from interaction between members of the virtual community and identifies a game piece available for use in the wagering game; determining and presenting, on the wagering game machine, output including an indication that the game piece is available for use in the wagering game; and presenting, on the wagering game machine, the wagering game.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the player input is associated with one of the members of the virtual community, and wherein the community information is associated with another of the members of the virtual community.
 10. The method of claim 8, wherein the wagering game machine resides in a casino, and wherein the community information further includes a notification that one of the members is monitoring the wagering game from outside the casino.
 11. The method of claim 8, wherein the output further includes an instant message from a member of the virtual community.
 12. The method of claim 8, wherein the output further includes one or more of a bonus event, promotional material, and a status badge indicating status of one of the members of the virtual community.
 13. The method of claim 8, wherein the community information originates from a community server configured to provide content to the members of the virtual community.
 14. The method of claim 8, wherein the community information is received from a community server that hosts content accessible to members of the virtual community.
 15. A machine-readable storage device including instructions that can be executed by a machine, the machine-readable storage device including: instructions to determine that a first member of a virtual community is playing a wagering game on a wagering game machine; instructions to send a notification to a community terminal that is associated with a second member of the virtual community, wherein the second member is not playing the wagering game, wherein the notification indicates that the first member is using the wagering game machine, and wherein the first member and the second member are part of a social network in the virtual community; and instructions to exchange information between the wagering game machine and the community terminal, wherein the information is associated the first and second members.
 16. The machine-readable storage device of claim 15, wherein the wagering game machine resides in a casino, and wherein the community terminal resides outside any casino.
 17. The machine-readable storage device of claim 16 further comprising: instructions to enable the first and second community members to participate in a bonus event presented on the wagering game machine.
 18. The machine-readable storage device of claim 15 further comprising: instructions to store information about the wagering game presented on the wagering game machine.
 19. The machine-readable storage device of claim 15, wherein the information exchanged between the wagering game machine and the community terminal indicates that the first member can use, in the wagering game on the wagering game machine, a game peace owned by the second member.
 20. The machine-readable storage device of claim 15, wherein the information exchanged between the wagering game machine and the community terminals includes a request from the first member to use game elements acquired by the second member. 